L2800 performance

[canuck50]

Hi all
I have been reading posts for some time but finally signed up

I am in Canada and have 15 ac of hilly forest land. I want to clear some trails maintain 1/4 mile driveway and clear brush with a rear mower. Will not use a finish mower so probably will never need a mid pto
I want a backhoe and loader. Stability is a big issue.
I am thinking 26 to 30 hp. Have looked at JD, NH and Kubota. Very little choice of dealers here and JD seems higher priced than Kubots for similar features so narrowed it down to:
Kuboda L2800, with bh75 and 463 loder or 2630 with bh 75 and 403 loader
I lean to the more basic L2800 with HST

Questions:
I note the weight of the L2800 is more that 800lbs greater than the 2630 with about 3 more HP (29) and is heaver than the 3030 which has 30hp.
Anyone have any comments on this positive or negative?

Is there anything negative about the live PTO as compared to the independent that is on JD?

Also I read some older posts about problems with the bh75. Is it safe to assume they have fixed that issue. It seems to have better specs than what JD and NH have in the same price range
Any other comments welcome.

Tks

 

[machmeter62]

Canuck: I have a 2004 Kubota L2800 and use it in a semi- light construction environment, with the loader doing most of the work. I also tow various size trailers around the sites. The only complaints I have read about this L series is the quarter inching valve, which raises with a somewhat jerking motion? It's a non issue for me, and maybe the new ones have the infinite position valve; you may want to check before purchase? Kubota quality and dependability has always been a selling point for me. I still have my first one a L295DT, which is approaching it's 30th birthday, and no mechanical failures with a lot of hard use. The live-continous PTO is a nice feature also. I have the manual shift, which is basically a mechanical shuttle, which you will soon enjoy. Power wise, unless you need it for PTO work that requires > than 24 hp; you will run out of traction before power. Hope this helps with your decision?

 

[acresdozen]

Canuck, I have had my L2800 since Aug'06 and after 42 hours of run time believe I have made the right decision. My tractor is L2800 HST equipped with LA463 loader, BH75 w/16" bucket, Landpride Mower FDR 1660, Tiller RTR 1558-32, and Rear Blade RB 1572. I borrowed a 48" brush hog and used this to cut down rose bush weeds, a variety of 7' tall stuff including 2" dia trees with no problem. The loader certainly helped knock this stuff down on the way in. Tilled about 2 acres, had a problem with disengaging the PTO, my dealer took the tractor back to the shop and repaired a rusted cable. No problems since.
As far as the weight goes, I selected the L2800 over the B7800 for that reason and the position control feature. Since I am a new tractor owner, I read alot about loading tires for stability and traction. Since this is not recommended for backhoe use, I decided to go with the extra mass, which when you look at it, the extra weight comes to 200 lbs/tire.
I still believe this is the perfect rig for my 12+ acres, and have made the right decision over JD and NH. This thing brings a smile to my face everytime I start her up...her name is Mable. Hope this helps.

 

[wickedinhere]

You cant go wrong with the l2800 mine has done more than i could imagine.

 

[machmeter62]

Canuck: For the stability with the hills, the R-1's will offer greater traction, plus you can adjust the rear wheel width to your comfort level on the slopes! I have several tractors, and for my slopes and traction needs; the R-1's are my choice. If you work in wet and soft soil (mud), the R-4's turn to "slicks," and provide very little stability or traction. The mud will stick to the tires, and will not shed the mud like the R-1's will. Decide what conditions you will spend most of the time before choising your tires. The R-4's cost another $400+ to the bottom line.

 

[tcarter1]

I recently bought a 2800 HST after owning a BX for 5 years. So far, so good. This tractor offers a lot of bang for the buck. I personally preferred the heavier/larger frame of the L series over the B since I have no intention of lawn mowing with this one. One suggestion: ask your dealer if he handles Bush-Hog loaders. The BH loader offers a little more capacity and lifting height. BTW, I bought a Long 4n1 bucket and love it.

 

[wvmapler]

Canuck,

At most dealers in the US, you can get the L3400 which is the same tractor with 6 more HP for around $ 1000 more if interested. I love my L3400 and I did a lot of research and to me it was the most tractor for the best price over JD and NH.

 

[Dweeks]

Canuck,

At most dealers in the US, you can get the L3400 which is the same tractor with 6 more HP for around $ 1000 more if interested. I love my L3400 and I did a lot of research and to me it was the most tractor for the best price over JD and NH.

What he said.

 

[oldgoat2]

In response to the PTO not being independant. In ways the independant is nicer when running equipment that you would like to turn on and off when you are off the tractor, such as a grain auger or a sprayer while using a hand wand. I've been digging a lot of postholes lately with my L3400 and I love being able to control the PTO engagement with the clutch to ease through tough areas of a hole containing rocks or roots. I think it is just an issue of convienience vs control. Both work equally well.

 

[canuck50]

I am still pondering and having HP creep as now the dealer has convinced me to consider the 3400 as was you guys. Its about $1500 more here mainly because thats what the dealer has in stock and would have to order the 2800 so hes more willing to cut the price of the 3400 since he has at least 4 in stock gitting near year end. Its also $$$ creep though.
Thanks for the input and comments.
I will chew on it for a bit and maybe look at the green guys again to see if they can compete in this HP range.

canuck

 

[simie]

I'm crazy about my L2800 (geared) - I have yet to hit any limit with it that is HP related. I have 40 acres of hills and woods - I lose traction before I lose power. I also had $ and HP creep - I stopped at the 2800. Very happy with it.

 

[Doc_Bob]

I am still pondering and having HP creep as now the dealer has convinced me to consider the 3400 as was you guys. Its about $1500 more
canuck

Go for it! Nice machine, you can get it now, you only live once.
Bob

 

[schole]

Good choices! I ended up buying the L3400DT and have just over 100hrs on it. Love it!

Loaded tires have really made a difference for me w.r.t. stability, traction, and loader performance -- get the dealer to 'throw it in'. Tooth bar and forks are really handy. Chains in the winter are unstoppable. Some sort of additional rear ballast is a must: backhoe, ballast box, concrete, back blade. Get the dealer to throw in the 2 stage air filter and to weld on some bucket hooks.

Most hp for the money, I think. It has kept me happy on my 17 hilly acres.

Shawn

 

[machmeter62]

CANUCK50: Another thing that may become an issue; I opted for a 4 foot Bush Hog, because of the ease of portability without a trailer. It will fit in the back of a standard size pickup; anything bigger requires a flatbed or a trailer. Also the hog requires 5 hp/ft, and the 24 PTO on the L2800 more than satisfies that requirement. I'm sure you will be happy with either tractor, but if you are working between trees clearing brush, too big can be a problem with the 5 footer? Of course, if you are working mostly in large open areas, bigger is better, and so is the hp.!!

 

[canuck50]

Matchmeter and everyone
Thanks for the comments. I will have a loader and backhoe so will need a trailer and that will give me weight and balance. My own trailer means a new (used) truck so on and on it goes.
Been shopping for a truck to tow an 8 to 10,000lb trailer. Its going to be a big Christmas with tractor +trailer and truck.
Like some one said you only live once! I plan to include a tractor in the experience.

Canuck